Principles and Practices, Project Management

Principles and Practices

Weareable Wireless Robotic Arm Controller

The goal of this project is to develop a portable control interface capable of operating a robotic arm in near real-time. By integrating motion tracking and flexion detection, the system offers an intuitive, human-like control experience, bridging the gap between user intent and mechanical execution. Beyond simple movement, this technology aims to decentralize the machine operator, enabling complex tasks to be performed from a safe distance or in specialized environments.

The inspiration for this project came from an earlier prototype: a wired glove for controlling a mouse. While that initial version successfully demonstrated the basic concept of gesture-based input, it was limited by its physical connection. My goal for the Fab Academy is to build this concept into a fully wireless system with optimized signal processing. This transition from a simple wired tool to a sophisticated wearable controller represents a significant personal achievement.

To manage the development of this project, I established a structured schedule based on the Fab Academy's weekly requirements, defining specific goals and delivery dates for each phase.

Project Management

Setup Guide: Cloning my GitLab Repository

To begin working on my website, I followed this initial workflow to link my local environment with the Fab Academy remote repository:

1. Git Installation: First, I downloaded and installed Git on my computer to enable version control directly from the terminal. Git - Install
2. Workspace Preparation: I created a dedicated folder on my device where all the website files and assets will be organized and stored.
3. Linking with GitLab: On the Fab Academy GitLab page, I copied the project link under the "Clone with HTTPS" option. This link acts as the "cloud" address for my site. I use the HTTPS cloning link because cloning the files only requires a GitLab username and password, which simplifies the process. If I use the SSH cloning link, it requires a key, making the process more laborious.
   
4. Cloning via VS Code: I opened my local folder in Visual Studio Code. Using the integrated terminal, I executed the cloning command:

   git clone https://gitlab.fabcloud.org...

5. Navigating to the Directory: Once Git finished downloading the repository copy, I used the cd (change directory) command to enter my project folder:

   cd .\your-name\

6. Identity Configuration: Finally, I configured my Git identity to ensure all contributions are correctly attributed to my account. I used the following command in the terminal:

   git config --global user.email "you@example.com"

It is now possible to modify the repository locally from your device. To do that we will use the following git commands in the Visual Studio Code terminal.

• git status: Used to check the current state of my files.
• git add .: Adds all changes to the staging area.
• git commit -m "My Message": Records the changes with a descriptive note. Every time you make a commit, a commit will be generated in gitlab. It is advisable to make sure that this commit is completed correctly. This is represented with a little green check mark indicating that everything went well.
  
  If you ever do a git push and your page doesn't update, you should check the pipeline section. If you see a red circle with an X, it means there's an error in your HTML code or in the .gitlab-ci.yml file. Clicking on the failed status will tell you exactly which line the site build failed on.
  
• git push: Uploads local changes to the GitLab server.
• git pull: Updates the local repository with changes from the server.
• git reset --soft HEAD~1: Undoes the last commit while preserving the work.

Every time a change is made to the project, the following sequence must be executed in the terminal to update the live site:

1. Stage: git add .
   Prepares all modified files to be included in the next commit.
2. Commit: git commit -m "Your message here"
   Saves the changes locally with a descriptive note about what was done.
3. Push: git push
   Uploads the local commits to the GitLab cloud, making the changes public.

Core Project Files

• index.html: The main entry point and structure of the website. As a markup language based on tags (<>), it defines the content and hierarchy of the page.
• style.css: The stylesheet used to define the visual appearance. It is a language primarily used to provide styles and aesthetics to the HTML structure.
• .gitlab-ci.yml: A critical configuration file that automates the Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD) process. It instructs GitLab on how to build and publish the website automatically every time a git push is executed.
• .git: Inside your-name folder, there's a hidden folder called .git. When you run commands in the VS Code terminal, you're directly interacting with this folder:
  • git add . tells the .git folder to prepare the files.
  • git commit creates a permanent "snapshot" of your code in the .git folder.
  • git push sends this data to the FabCloud server in the .git folder.
  
  Rule of thumb: Never delete the .git folder or modify any files within it, as this could corrupt the page and cause problems when running git push or git pull.

Building a website involves using HTML, a markup language based on tags (<>) that defines the site's structure, and CSS, which is used to apply visual styles. To manage these files effectively, Git is utilized as a version control system.

    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/highlight.js/11.9.0/styles/default.min.css">
    <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/highlight.js/11.9.0/highlight.min.js"></script>
    <script>hljs.highlightAll();</script>
                

    void setup() {
        pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
    }

    void loop() {
        digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);  
        delay(1000);                      
        digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);    
        delay(1000);                      
    }